“In other words, Cosimo Flores, my ancestor, personally cast the spell to suppress the Dragon's curse into his bloodline?”
“If that is not the case, I cannot find any other reason why His Highness's condition is so stable.”
“That magic… is inside me.”
"That's right. Although your inherent magical power is very weak, I vaguely sense the Dragon's power. The dreams, suggestions, and illusions that you see showing the past or future are all influenced by the 'Wisdom Eye of Heavenly Plan', one of the Dragon's abilities."
“Dragon's power… Heavenly Plan's Wisdom Eye?”
Richard nodded. So, all the visions I've been seeing for so long are related to that curse?
“I have that ability… It's unbelievable.”
"Thien Co's Wisdom Eye is the power to see through all things. If this ability is opened further, you can reach the realm of Truth."
Richard added that the realm of Truth is the ultimate peak that every scholar and magician aspires to reach.
“Truth… what?”
What he said sounded so abstract and sublime to me. Divine Plan, Wisdom Eye, Truth. Everything seems to have nothing to do with my life.
“So, were the visions I saw all real?”
Even though I had a hunch, I still wanted to hear confirmation from his own mouth. Richard nodded and said:
"If that's what happened in the past, then yes. However."
"However?"
He looked at the ceiling for a moment as if recalling something, then spoke again:
“If you could see the future, the story would be different.”
This illusion, or should we call it Thien Co's Wisdom Eye, has so far only shown me things that have happened, but has never predicted the future. But can that also happen?
"The future is special. It always contains infinite possibilities, therefore many futures exist. Therefore, the future is flexible."
“Flexible future?”
"Destiny can be changed. However, changing destiny also means opposing cause and effect, so you will certainly suffer."
“Can you change your destiny…”
Richard's lilac eyes emitted a sharp light. That look seemed to want to tell me:
That maybe I, with my own power, can change this destiny.
“So, if I could check your blood…”
He left the sentence unfinished. The blood test sounds ominous.
“Examine my blood, what will you learn?”
“Perhaps, you will find a way to break the curse.”
“Is that true?”
I exclaimed in surprise. Can you break the curse? If you can do that, does that mean Cesar will return to normal? I quickly turned my head to look at Cesar.
"Lace."
He held my hand and smiled. They say that the Crazy Dragon curse on Cesar can be lifted. After the curse is lifted, can't Cesar live happily?
That thought suddenly made every cell in my body boil with excitement. My heart was pounding unbearably. I couldn't help it, I hugged him tightly.
“Cesar, the curse on you can be lifted!”
“… Curse?”
According to Mercedes, Cesar was outstanding from a young age. A child so smart that no one can match him.
“Yes, I will return to the way I was before.”
“Like before?”
He tilted his head. The curse has clouded his reason, so when the curse that gnaws at his spirit is lifted, he will definitely return to normal.
“Hehe.”
Cesar smiled brightly, as if he understood what I said. Cesar's curse can be lifted. How wonderful it would be if that came true. He will become the most handsome and wonderful Prince in the world. That's for sure.
In my chest, sprouts of hope constantly sprout from those thoughts.
Mercedes couldn't hide the bright smile on her face.
“I cornered that brat perfectly.”
Thinking back, it was funny, she kept giggling non-stop. She kept letting out uncomfortable laughter.
However, there was one thing she was not satisfied with. That was Elda's failure. She couldn't forgive that girl for ruining this important matter.
“Is it that difficult to deal with a lame-legged brat?”
If Elda had succeeded as planned, everything would have been perfect. She missed the golden opportunity to get rid of that girl immediately and make Lady Giovinetta the Princess. All because of that fool's failure.
Mercedes shook her head vigorously. Maybe it's time to get rid of Elda. That girl already knows too much.
“No matter what, Lady Giovinetta is still mine.”
She remembered what happened at noon. Putting Prince Concubine in a secret position was thanks to the help of Lady Giovinetta. Thinking about the moment the two of them cut off that girl's life together, a feeling of excitement surged.
“Ha, ha ha…”
Just a little more and everything will come true. Just wait a little longer, just a little longer. If successful, everyone will be happy.
Just destroy the villain who separated her and Cesar. That's right, the day when Cesar smiles at her like before will return.
"My son is completely normal, just fascinated by that evil bastard."
She needs to tighten her grip even more.
“Because I am Cesar's mother.”
Removing insects that cling to her son is also the role of a mother. She was ready to rush into anything, no matter how difficult and bad it was.
Even if that path leads to hellfire.
That night, I thought carefully about the situation.
“Giovinetta helped, and the maid I chased away wanted to kill me.”
And the cold face of Mercedes, who defended the maid and cornered me, appeared again. I've known she harbored hatred for a long time. But I didn't expect that she could push me to that extent.
"After all, she did deal with four other Prince Concubine candidates. Perhaps Mercedes was the one who bribed Elda."
Remembering the moment I fell into the lake, I still shiver. If Cesar hadn't come to save me, I would be...
“I have to do something about Mercedes…”
The one who caused the trouble was Elda, but the one who really had to be wary was Mercedes. However, no matter how you think about it, the situation is not very positive. I was walking a thin tightrope as I had to deal with the Queen's supervision, plus not knowing when Cesar's condition would take a turn for the worse.
Meanwhile, the banquet schedule organized by the Queen is also approaching. It all feels like a noose is tightening around my neck.
“But the most worrying thing is that Giovinetta and Mercedes colluded.”
Giovinetta, who has been my sworn enemy all my life, understands me well. Yet she joined hands with Mercedes, who wanted to kill me. The combination of these two is truly amazing.
“Hmm…”
When all the confused thoughts in my head were about to explode, Cesar called me.
“Ren, are you angry?”
"Huh?"
He used his index finger to gently touch the center of my forehead. At that moment, I realized I had a very unsightly expression on my face. And Cesar is similarly worried because of that.
“No, not angry.”
I tried to smile.
“Is it okay then?”
“Yes, it's okay.”
Having said that, I opened my arms and hugged him tightly. I got used to his arm under my armpit and the warmth of his body. My body temperature is higher than normal people, but now, without it, I would feel a bit empty.
Just like this, the two of us hugged each other without a gap, it seemed like all negative thoughts had disappeared.
“Does Caesar feel the same way?”
Is he also feeling the same feeling?
Richard said that the ancient magic passed down through my bloodline had influenced him, helping to ease the curse.
So I decided to cooperate with him in my blood research. Because he said, if the Great Magus's magic could be found, perhaps this power could lift Cesar's curse.
It's just, I still don't know what to do.
“Not yet…”
How nice it would be if I found a way. Cesar will return to normal, different from now. Become the person I always wanted to be.
How wonderful that would be. I gently stroked his hair on his forehead, then pushed it back a bit.
“As handsome as you are now, how much more amazing will you be then?”
Of course, it's hard for me to imagine. What kind of Cesar is great Cesar? I had never been around a wonderful man, nor had I ever thought about it, so this was a difficult fantasy.
“Or will Cesar become a cool Sword Master and Knight?”
If I had to find a closest model, it would be the stories of wonderful knights in popular novels. They are righteous people, traveling across the continent helping the suffering, oppressed and in trouble.
I briefly pictured Cesar setting out on an adventure like a knight in a novel. Cesar's majestic appearance in shiny metal armor, wearing a dark purple cloak, holding a sword in his hand. Thinking about that, I naturally burst out laughing.
Cesar liked the story of the Ugly Duckling and would giggle happily when he was kissed on the cheek, but had such a serious appearance?
“Not suitable at all!”
I held my stomach and laughed for a long time.